I think the argument is that they're rewarded for being married.
Married couples are slightly cheaper for the government to "look after".
The idea that people should be encouraged to commit in that way by taxes strikes me as fundementally wrong.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 12 May 2010, 15:36, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

Damn right it is.
Makes me seeth.
( girlinthehole, Wed 12 May 2010, 15:38, Reply)

Not to be rude
but the tax break is not enough really to convince people marry for the sake of it. It does however provide an incentive to formalise a long term relationship. Can't see anything wrong with that
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:07, Reply)

People on an average income will get something like £3 a week
This is less about the money and more about promoting family values.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:09, Reply)

I can't really see that, that's a bad thing

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:11, Reply)

Not saying it is
It seems like a very minor point in the general scheme of things
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:14, Reply)

I'd agree
so I wonder why people are bitching about it
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:18, Reply)

Well, because it's massively unfair is why.
Married? Have some money.
Gay and in a civil partnership? Fuck you. But don't fuck off to my B&B, you're not welcome there you deviants.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:23, Reply)

I'm not sure if the tax breaks apply to gay couples
but I'm pretty sure that it does actually. And the B&B issue has nothing to do with this discussion at all.

See NakedApes post below for why they're thinking of this taxbreak
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:25, Reply)

Yeah I don't think it discriminates against the gays
and it's more that people are fed up with single people being given tax breaks when you don't necessarily earn more as a couple.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:44, Reply)

It applies to any civil partnership/marriage
Not just heterosexuals.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 12 May 2010, 16:32, Reply)